Looking At The First Century Church In Action
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesBy reading 1 Thessalonians 1-5, we can look at the first century church in action. Let us notice the following characteristics of this spiritually productive congregation:
- They steadfastly did the Lord’s work, setting an example and standard for all other congregations to follow (1 Thessalonians 1:1-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58).
- They were zealous to evangelize (1 Thessalonians 1:8; cf. Romans 1:8).
- They were a people of great faith and love (1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:6).
- They were a penitent people (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
- They openly received the apostolic teaching of Paul as “the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-13).
- They suffered and endured similar persecution as Paul and Silas suffered in Philippi (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; cf. Acts 16:16-24).
- They displayed genuine love for the brethren in Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8).
- They were a praying congregation (1 Thessalonians 5:25; cf. Colossians 4:2-3).
This first century church was Paul’s “glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:20). Could Paul say the same of our congregation in the twenty-first century?
Brethren, let us pray that all congregations of the Lord’s people be willing to acquire the above characteristics of the Lord’s church found in Thessalonica.
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